Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2158

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-09: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

Last Updated

2026-07-09T13:27:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025 aims to address growing threats from foreign governments or their agents targeting individuals in the United States through tactics like threats, harassment, surveillance, and violence. It establishes a specialized group within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to analyze, monitor, and counter these threats, known as "transnational repression," and related terrorism risks, while protecting civil liberties.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the Working Group: Creates the Transnational Repression Working Group within DHS, coordinated with the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. The group focuses on analyzing and monitoring transnational repression and associated terrorism threats.
• Leadership and Staffing:
• A Director, appointed by the Director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), leads the group and reports to the DHS Secretary and HSI Director.
• Ensures adequate staff, including at least one employee dedicated to privacy law compliance.
• Allows detailees (temporary assignments) from the intelligence community or other federal agencies with relevant expertise.
• Information Sharing: Reviews and incorporates data from federal, state, local, tribal, territorial partners, and the National Network of Fusion Centers (state and local hubs for sharing threat information). Disseminates relevant findings back to these partners.
• Annual Assessments:
• HSI Director, through the Working Group, submits reports to congressional homeland security committees within 180 days of enactment and annually for seven years.
• Reports cover incidents over the prior 12 months, including analyses of attempts, quantitative data on individuals involved (e.g., citizenship, foreign government roles), federal disruption efforts, and other relevant matters.
• Submitted in unclassified form with a possible classified annex for sensitive intelligence; unclassified portions posted publicly on a DHS website.
• Research and Development: Within one year of enactment, DHS, in coordination with relevant offices, conducts research on technologies and methods to support countering these threats at federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial levels.
• Sunset Clause: The Working Group terminates seven years after enactment.
• Protections and Definitions:
• All activities must comply with constitutional rights, privacy laws, civil rights, and civil liberties; cannot limit free speech for U.S. persons.
• Defines key terms, such as "transnational repression" (actions by foreign governments or agents to coerce, harass, threaten, or harm individuals in the U.S. or U.S. persons abroad, in the government's interest) and "U.S. person" (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain protected entities).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 by adding a new Section 890E under Subtitle H of Title VIII, introducing the Working Group and its responsibilities.
• Updates the Act's table of contents to include the new section.
• No direct repeal or alteration of prior provisions, but integrates new coordination requirements with existing DHS components (e.g., HSI, Office of Intelligence and Analysis) and external entities like the FBI and intelligence community.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Strengthens DHS's role in threat assessment and information sharing, requiring coordination with the intelligence community, FBI, and fusion centers. This could increase workload for HSI and related offices but enhance national security collaboration. Annual reporting adds congressional oversight.
• On Citizens: Provides better protection for U.S. persons (e.g., citizens, immigrants) from foreign harassment, threats, or violence, potentially reducing risks to individuals and communities targeted by hostile governments.
• On International Relations: May heighten scrutiny of foreign governments involved in repression, identifying their roles in reports, which could lead to diplomatic tensions or sanctions against nations enabling such activities, while fostering alliances with partners sharing threat data.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• DHS and Federal Agencies: Primary implementers, including HSI, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, and the Under Secretary for Science and Technology; also involves the FBI, intelligence community, and fusion centers.
• Congressional Committees: House and Senate Homeland Security committees receive reports and oversee implementation.
• State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments: Benefit from enhanced information sharing and support to address local threats.
• U.S. Persons and Communities: Individuals at risk from foreign repression, such as dissidents, journalists, or activists, gain indirect protections.
• Foreign Governments and Agents: Subject to monitoring and potential U.S. disruption efforts, affecting diplomatic or operational activities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Mandates strict adherence to privacy regulations and civil liberties laws, with dedicated staff for compliance, reducing risks of legal challenges related to surveillance or data handling.
• Constitutional: Explicitly prohibits interference with First Amendment rights (free speech) and other constitutional protections, ensuring activities do not overreach into lawful expression.
• Political: Reflects a bipartisan sense of Congress on the urgency of these threats, sponsored by members from both parties, potentially signaling broader U.S. policy focus on countering foreign influence without partisan bias in the bill's text. The seven-year sunset provides a temporary mechanism for evaluation before permanence.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6], Rep. Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-09: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
• 2025-04-09: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-03-25: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2025-03-25: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (11 pages)